This episode is all about the leap. The grit. And the reality of building a startup from scratch in the short-term rental world. If you've ever stared at a clunky check-in system or juggled five tools just to welcome a guest, this one's going to hit close to home.Our guest is Michael O’Connell, founder of Happy Guest; a smart, frictionless platform designed to simplify guest journeys from check-in to check-out. Before launching Happy Guest, Michael led strategic sales and partnerships at Turno and worked across the STR tech landscape. He knew the chaos operators were facing and decided to fix it.This is a raw, honest chat about what it really takes to go from idea ➡️ execution. Michael opens up about the sacrifices, burnout, and brutal clarity needed to survive the startup rollercoaster, without a fancy VC cheque.SHOW LINKSHappy Guest – https://www.happyguestofficial.com Michael O’Connell on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/happyguestmike/#BuildingItSeries #RunwayToSuccess #GuestExperienceMatters📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 – Introduction and Background01:02 – From Vegas to Strive: A Growing Connection02:30 – Entering the STR Industry by Accident04:06 – What is Happy Guest? Startup Origins Explained05:54 – Do You See Yourself as an Entrepreneur?07:01 – Launching the MVP: Testing with Real Guests08:56 – Guest-Facing Tech: Why First Impressions Matter10:42 – Lessons from Beta Testing: What to Launch and What to Kill12:48 – Building Without VC: Bootstrapping and Personal Sacrifices15:37 – The Mental Toll: Burnout and Startup Pressure18:01 – Projections, Runway & Revenue Modelling21:25 – When the Numbers Don’t Match the Plan23:51 – Startup Life Is Not Glamorous25:50 – Why Every Dollar Counts: Sacrifices and Strategy27:25 – Burnout is Real: Balancing Hustle and Health30:00 – What I’d Tell My Past Self32:20 – Final Advice for Future Founders▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.